Shower curtain closure system

ABSTRACT

A shower curtain closure system cooperable with a shower curtain rod, the shower curtain and shower curtain liner each being of two piece construction, there being fitted over the shower curtain rod at its distal ends, an L-shaped bracket being U-shaped in cross section and having a plurality of depending finger hooks, one such bracket at one end of the shower curtain rod fixedly securing a portion of the shower curtain and shower curtain liner in fixed relationship with the shower or tub, the opposing bracket partially securing a second portion of the shower curtain and shower liner in fixedly relationship with the shower or tub, the opposing end of the second portion of the shower curtain and liner being secured to a U-shaped slidable bracket having depending finger hooks which is slidable on the shower curtain rod for engagement and disengagement with the first L-shaped bracket, thereby opening and closing the shower curtain and liner, the shower curtain and liner vertical hems having a plurality of magnetic members deployed therein for engagement in closure of the shower curtain and for engagement with the walls of the shower or bath.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to closures for showers and bathtubs and more specifically to a shower curtain closure assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The device of the present invention is related to an improved closure device for shower curtains. The device may also be used in connection with tarps, curtains, and covers and other related fields where a closing device for a curtain-like structure is employed.

Utilization of shower curtains to try to prevent water from the shower from going outside the shower enclosure at the edges is well known. Shower curtains are often pulled away from the edge of the shower or tub enclosure by the vacuum created by the velocity of the water from the shower head according to well-known phenomena.

Often the typical shower curtain does not adequately prevent water from spilling onto the bathroom floor as the curtain moves away from the shower walls due to the decreased pressure of air entrained with the water spray. In addition, this effect can be due to an open window or door blowing the curtain. A further problem arises since household pets such as cats like to sleep in cool places such as the shower.

Attempts have been made to keep shower curtains in place by wetting the edge of the shower enclosure wall and sticking the curtain to it. Other devices include magnets or suction cups at the bottom of the shower curtain to keep the curtain against the inside of the bathtub walls. These techniques do not prevent the water escaping through the sides onto the floor. Also when it is necessary to remove the curtain for cleaning or washing, the magnets or suction cups would often break in the washing machine, making the arrangement useless.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a shower closure device for a curtain which is aesthetically appealing with the curtain attached and which causes water to remain inside of the tub instead of spilling onto the floor. The curtain will not be blown aside drafts from open windows. The device is easily installed and removed for cleaning of the curtain. It gives the appearance of a sealed door enclosure without the high cost of installing a conventional glass shower tub enclosure. In addition it serves to keep pets out of the tub.

The closest prior art references of which the Applicant is aware of are Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,425 and the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,140 to Kellogg discloses a shower curtain unit for use with built-in bathtubs. Notable in this patent is the utilization of a vertical tube 45 secured at each end by the internal rods 47 and 48, and retained in brackets at the top and bottom of the tube enclosure. The shower curtain 19 is hemmed at the end, with an opening provided in the hem through which the tube 45 is fitted.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,324 to Cairns discloses a curtain retainer apparatus which is noted for its method of retaining the curtain 138 and flexible retainer means having beaded interlocking heads as shown in the drawings. This is particularly useful for shower curtains.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,547 to Riekse a combination of flexible retainer and locking strip 24 is shown in cross section in FIGS. 3 and 4.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,919 to White (See FIGS. 2 and 3), wherein the end of a curtain is retained within the holder having a resilient core 20 fitted into a hem of the curtain 19.

The disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,889 to Kessler illustrates a common way of retaining screening utilizing a ribbed resilient cord.

Other patents of general interest in this area are U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,354 to Margolies; U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,801 to Saling; U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,161 to Barnett; U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,642 to Blitch; U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,915 to Siewert; U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,741 to Payne; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,580 to Dyckow; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,884 to Angerman.

The present invention is a significant improvement over the devices shown in the prior art patents individually and collectively.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a novel shower closure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel shower closure which is aesthetically appealing and easily installed and removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel shower closure which prevents water from spilling outside the shower but is low cost compared to the prior art.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel shower closure utilizing a two piece liner and a two piece shower curtain.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel shower closure in which the two piece liner and two piece shower curtain are slidably, lockably, engageable to provide a seal which prevents water from spilling outside of the shower or bath enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A shower curtain closure system cooperable with a shower curtain rod, the shower curtain and shower curtain liner each being of two piece construction, there being fitted over the shower curtain rod at its distal ends, an L-shaped bracket being U-shaped in cross section and having a plurality of depending finger hooks, one such bracket at one end of the shower curtain rod fixedly securing a portion of the shower curtain and shower curtain liner in fixed relationship with the shower or tub, the opposing bracket partially securing a second portion of the shower curtain and shower liner in fixedly relationship with the shower or tub, the opposing end of the second portion of the shower curtain and liner being secured to a U-shaped slidable bracket having depending finger hooks which is slidable on the shower curtain rod for engagement and disengagement with the first L-shaped bracket, thereby opening and closing the shower curtain and liner, the shower curtain and liner vertical hems having a plurality of magnetic members deployed therein for engagement in closure of the shower curtain and for engagement with the walls of the shower or bath.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first L-shaped bracket of the closure system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second bracket of the closure system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slidable bracket of the closure system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shower curtain closure assembly from the interior of the closure system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exterior of the shower closure system from the exterior of the shower enclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the shower closure system positioned in a bathtub with shower curtain and shower liner secured thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are perspective views of the bracket members which comprise the shower curtain closure system 10. First bracket member 12 is generally L-shaped having a planar leg 14 which would be secured to a wall or to the end wall of a bath or shower enclosure and have one or more upstanding fingers 15 to engage an aperture or apertures on a shower liner. Perpendicular leg member 16 to planar leg 14 has an inverted U-shaped channel 18 and is dimensioned to receive a portion of a shower curtain rod within its inverted U-shaped channel 18. The depending legs 22 and 24 of perpendicularly leg member 16 are formed with a plurality of outwardly and upwardly depending fingers 26 for receipt of apertures or grommeted apertures formed along the upper peripheral edge of a shower curtain and shower liner as described hereafter. The number of outwardly upstanding fingers 26 on outer depending leg 28 of L-shaped first bracket member 12 are more numerous and are positioned closer together than those outwardly upstanding fingers 26 formed on the inner depending leg 24 of L-shaped first bracket member 12.

Second bracket member 40 of the shower closure system 10 is again L-shaped having a first planar leg 42 which is secured to the wall or wall of the shower or tub enclosure by a suitable means such as adhesive and having one or more upstanding fingers 41 to engage an aperture or apertures of a shower liner, the second leg 44 of second L-shaped bracket 40 defines an inverted U-shaped channel 46 and is designed to receive a shower curtain rod within its channel 46 similar to first bracket member 12, second bracket member 40 has depending legs 50 and 52 which are formed with outwardly upstanding fingers 54 to engage the apertures or grommeted apertures formed in the upper peripheral edge of a shower curtain and shower liner.

Third slidable bracket member 60 (FIG. 3) is linear having an inverted U-shaped channel 62 designed to accommodate a shower curtain rod within channel 62, third slidable bracket member 60 having depending legs 66 and 68 and having a plurality of outwardly upstanding fingers 70 formed thereon to again accommodate and cooperate with the apertures or grommeted apertures formed in the upper peripheral edge of a shower curtain and shower liner.

In all three brackets 12, 40, and 60, the outwardly upstanding fingers 26, 54 and 70 formed on the outer leg 22, 50, and 68 of the bracket would preferably be more numerous and closer together in proximity than those outwardly upstanding fingers formed on the inner leg 24, 52, and 68 of the bracket which are designed to accommodate the shower curtain. The purpose for the more numerous and proximate outwardly upstanding fingers 26, 54, and 70 on the outer leg of the brackets is to accommodate the shower curtain which would hang outside of the wall of the shower stall or shower tub and to effect a pleated look to the shower curtain in its installed embodiment.

The wider spaced outwardly upstanding fingers 26, 54, and 70 formed on the inner leg of the various brackets are to accommodate the shower liner which would hang within the wall of the shower stall or shower curtain where it would be desired that the shower liner be held as taught as possible so as to engage the inner surface of the shower stall or shower tub to prevent the egress of water during operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shower curtain closure assembly as viewed from the inside of the shower or bathtub. In this configuration, first bracket member 12 and second bracket member 40 are secured to the end walls 80 of the shower or tub enclosure 82 by means of a planar legs 14 and 42 thereby positioning perpendicular leg 16 and 44, with inverted U-shaped channels 18 and 46 positioned over the curtain rod 84.

Slidably positioned on the curtain rod 84 between first bracket member 12 and second bracket member 40, is third slidable bracket member 60. A tub or shower liner 90 is formed of two piece construction. A first portion 62 of liner 90 is secured to the inner upwardly extending fingers 26 of first bracket member 12 and to planar leg member 14 of first bracket member 12 secured to the end wall 80 of the enclosure 82. This portion of the liner is generally fixed in position and maintained by a plurality of magnets 100 positioned in the lower hem 102 of the liner.

The second portion 104 of tub or shower liner 90 has one end secured to the upwardly extending inner fingers 54 of second bracket member 40 at the opposing end of the curtain rod 84. The opposing vertical edge of second portion 104 of liner 90 are secured to the upwardly extending fingers 70 on slidable third bracket member 60 on curtain rod 84. The linear vertical edge 106 of the second portion 104 of liner 50 secured to the slidable third bracket member 60 has a plurality of magnets 107 positioned along its vertical periphery, cooperable with a plurality of magnets 108 on the vertical periphery of the first portion 62 of the shower liner. In this configuration, by slidably moving third bracket member 60 on curtain rod 82 from second bracket member 40 towards first bracket member 12, the second portion 104 of liner 90 is drawn across the opening to the shower or tub enclosure 82 such that when third bracket member 60 is in contact with first bracket member 12, the vertical edges of first portion 62 of the shower liner and second portion 104 of the shower liner overlap such that their respective magnets 106 and 108 engage in sealing relationship.

FIG. 5 is an exterior view of the bath or shower enclosure illustrating the manner in which the decorative shower curtain 120 is secured to first, second, and third bracket members 12, 40 and 60 by outwardly upstanding fingers 26, 54, and 70, and drawn across the enclosure in a manner similar to that of the two piece liner. The shower curtain, like the liner, is of two piece construction with portion 122 being fixed and 124 being slidable.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the enclosure system in a partially open orientation illustrating the manner in which first bracket member 12 secured in fixed position, liner portion 62 and shower portion 122 while the movable portions of liner 104 and shower curtain 24 are fixably secured to bracket member 40 and sliding bracket 60 which allows those portions of the liner 104 and shower curtain 124 to be drawn back and forth.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the additional hook members 130 which are invertedly U-shaped and have an upstanding outwardly depending finger 132 on each downward leg. These members are slidably mounted on the shower rod 84 between the slidable bracket 60 and the fixed bracket 40 so as to support that portion of the shower liner 104 and shower curtain 124 extending there between.

While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof. 

1. A shower curtain closure assembly cooperative with an existing shower rod and shower rod brackets for opening, closing, and sealing a shower area, the shower curtain closure assembly comprising: a shower rod having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end of said shower rod secured to two opposing shower rod brackets secured on opposing side walls of a shower area; a first stationary L-shaped bracket having a planar first leg secured to said side wall of said shower area and a second leg of inverted U-shaped cross section overlapping a portion of said first end of said shower rod with an inner and outer depending web, said planar first leg and said inner depending web of said second leg having a plurality of upstanding support fingers and said outer web of said second leg having a plurality of upstanding support fingers; a second stationary L-shaped bracket, said second stationary L-shaped bracket having a planar first leg secured to said side wall of said shower area and a second leg of inverted U-shaped cross section overlapping a portion of said second end of said shower rod with an inner and outer depending web, said planar first leg and said inner depending web of said second leg having a plurality of upstanding support fingers and said outer web of said second leg having a plurality of upstanding support fingers; a movable bracket of inverted U-shaped configuration having an inner web and an outer web, and slidably positioned on said curtain rod, said inner and outer depending webs having upstanding support fingers; a two piece shower curtain liner having a plurality of apertures along its upper edge, said apertures proximate a first end of said shower curtain liner secured to said upstanding support fingers on said planar first leg and said inner web of said second leg of said first stationary L-shaped bracket, said plurality of apertures proximate said opposing end of said shower curtain liner secured to said upstanding support fingers on said inner web of said movable bracket, intermediate apertures being secured to conventional curtain rings secured on said curtain rod, said second piece of said shower curtain liner being secured to said upstanding support fingers on said second stationary L-shaped bracket on said planar first leg and said inner web of said second leg, said second piece of said shower curtain liner in a fixed position; a two piece outer shower curtain, said first piece having a plurality of apertures proximate said upper edge, said apertures proximate one end secured to said upstanding support fingers on said outer web of said second leg of said first stationary L-shaped bracket, said apertures proximate said opposing end of said outer shower curtain secured to said upstanding support fingers of said outer web of said movable bracket, intermediate apertures being secured to conventional curtain rings secured on said curtain rod, said second piece of said outer shower curtain secured to said upstanding fingers of said outer web of said second stationary L-shaped bracket.
 2. A shower curtain closure assembly cooperative with an existing shower rod and shower rod brackets for opening, closing, and sealing a shower area, the shower curtain closure assembly comprising: a shower rod having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end of said shower rod secured to two opposing shower rod brackets secured on opposing side walls of a shower area; a first stationary L-shaped bracket having a planar first leg secured to said wall of said shower, and a second leg of inverted U-shaped cross section overlapping a portion of said first end of said shower rod, said depending web of said inverted U-shaped leg and said planar leg having a plurality of outwardly upstanding fingers; a second stationary L-shaped bracket having a planar first leg secured to a side wall of said shower area and a second leg of inverted U-shaped cross section overlapping a portion of said second end of said shower rod, said depending webs of said inverted U-shaped leg and said planar leg having a plurality of outwardly upstanding fingers; a movable bracket of inverted U-shaped configuration having an inner web and an outer web, and slidably positioned on said curtain rod, said inner and outer depending webs having a plurality of upwardly upstanding fingers; a two piece shower curtain and two piece liner, said first portion of said two piece shower curtain supported by said outwardly upstanding fingers of said outer web of said first stationary L-shaped bracket, said first portion of said liner supported by said outwardly upstanding fingers of said inner web and said planar leg of said first stationary L-shaped bracket; said second portion of said shower curtain supported by said outwardly upstanding fingers on said outer web of said second stationary L-shaped bracket, said outwardly upstanding fingers of said outer web of said movable bracket and a plurality of shower hooks supported on said shower rod positioned there between; said second portion of said liner supported by said outwardly upstanding fingers of said inner web of said second stationary L-shaped bracket and said planar leg and said outwardly upstanding fingers on said inner web of said movable bracket and a plurality of shower support rings positioned between said movable bracket and said second stationary L-shaped bracket. 